“They do not understand what the conditions are like here,” said Akram Sabry, general manager of Sky Events Management, which is producing the film.

“I told them that it’s not like in America. Temperatures here reach 45 degrees or more. They would not be able to film.”

Sabry said that pre-production work has now been completed and Hollywood director, Chuck Russell, will be flying into Abu Dhabi in two weeks to oversee the work.

“His crew has already been here and we wor­ked out the pap­er­work,” said Sabry. Despite delays, final filming appro­val has been granted by twofour54, the Abu Dhabi media hub that is overseeing the project. The film is based on the classic Arab tale about a princess who wins her freedom by telling fantastic tales of Sinbad, Aladdin and other characters. Filming will take place in the desert and Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Palace hotel will also be used.